A Mississippi news station is mourning the loss of anchor Celeste Wilson.
16 WAPT confirmed on Wednesday, August 27, that their weekend anchor had died of an apparent heart attack. She was 42.
“We have some very sad news tonight about one of our own,” the anchors stated during a live broadcast. “Our colleague Celeste Wilson, who recently joined 16 WAPT as our weekend anchor, died from a heart attack. Celeste was only with us at 16 WAPT for a short time but we were already touched by her professionalism, her warmth and her dedication to the work of journalism.”
The anchors continued, “All of us here at 16 WAPT are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and our thoughts are with Celeste’s family and friends.”
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According to the station, Wilson began her broadcasting career at the CBS affiliate in Monroe, Louisiana and earned her Master’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University.
Wilson’s former station, KARK 4 News, also paid tribute to the journalist, calling her “a bright spot” of their morning show air.
“Team 20 is saddened by this loss, and our prayers are with her colleagues, friends and family members,” the station said. (Wilson started working with KARK 4 News in October 2023 as a reporter and anchor with the morning team before leaving in August 2024.)
Wilson is a New Orleans native who graduated from Northwestern State University in Louisiana before obtaining her master’s degree.
She enjoyed spotlighting community members and organizations making a positive difference in their neighborhoods.
“With a strong commitment to faith, family, community and deep Mississippi ties, Celeste is excited to explore Jackson and share Mississippi’s stories,” Wilson’s bio stated on 16 WAPT’s website.
One of Wilson’s colleagues Megan West recalled working with the station’s new anchor out in the field.
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She was immediately impressed with her new coworker based on their “sweet conversation.”
“My beautiful colleague, Celeste Wilson, showed up to cover the Girl Scouts of Mississippi Women of Distinction Induction breakfast,” West wrote via Facebook on Wednesday. “She was new to our team and so lovely. We chatted about how she was adjusting to morning show hours and life a few hours from her home in Louisiana.”
She continued, “Today, I learned she died, unexpectedly, of a heart attack. It is such a shock, and our hearts are broken for her family. I treasure the memory of this last, sweet conversation.”
